5 times 'Game of Thrones' has broken the fourth wall

Many fans of "Game of Thrones" were avid readers of the original written series by George R.R. Martin — "A Song of Ice and Fire." As such, there have been several instances in the television series when lines were included that held a second meaning directed at viewers at home.

Though it isn't breaking the fourth wall with quite the same literal style as "House of Cards," these moments spoke to fans who understood the message writers were trying to convey.

Scroll down for a look back at each time this happened over the course of the show.

Warning: There are spoilers ahead if you're not caught up with the show!

Littlefinger warned viewers about character deaths.

Season 4, Episode 8: "The Mountain and the Viper"HBO

When speaking with Robin Arryn in season four, Littlefinger alludes to the various ways characters may be killed off: "People die at their dinner tables, they die in their beds, they die squatting over their chamber pots. Everybody dies, sooner or later."

Back in season three, Robb Stark and his mother Catelyn both died at their dinner tables during the Red Wedding. But fans in the know understood the meaning behind Littlefinger's second and third examples. Just two episodes after this quote, Tyrion kills Shae while she's lying in bed, and then murders his father Tywin in the privy.

People watching this episode who had read the books would have known exactly what Littlefinger's line referred to, since Tyrion's trial was in the same episode and that meant Shae and Tywin's deaths were around the corner.

Ramsay Bolton is just telling it like it is when it comes to fairytale endings.

Season 3, Episode 6: "The Climb"HBO

While torturing Theon in season three, Ramsay Bolton laid some harsh wisdom on his victim: "If you think this has a happy ending, you haven’t been paying attention.”

This line was spoken to viewers at home just as much as it was to Theon Greyjoy (soon to be Reek). "Game of Thrones" is notorious for working against normal fantasy tropes, including those of a happy ending and victorious "good guys." Just a few episodes after this scene, Ramsay's father Roose Bolton betrays Robb Stark and murders him at the Red Wedding. Fans can't say they weren't warned.

Selyse Baratheon taunted book readers about the show passing the written series.

Season 5, Episode 2: "The House of Black and White"HBO

Season five was the first time some plotlines began to pass Martin's written series, with characters like Stannis and Shireen getting killed off. Early in the season Selyse Baratheon is speaking to her daughter, Shireen, about the dangers of wildlings.

"You have no idea what people will do," Selyse says. "All your books and you still don't know."

While this line makes sense in the context of a warning to Shireen, it also felt like an opportunity taken by the writers to poke fun at book readers. For a majority of the series, book readers had a leg up on show-only fans because they knew what was coming. But now, despite memorizing character journeys, that golden-age of omniscience is over.

Sam Tarly told everyone not to worry about Jon Snow.

Season 5, Episode 8: "Hardhome"HBO

The eighth episode of season five — "Hardhome" — is most remembered for the epic White Walker massacre that took place during the final thirty minutes. But earlier in the episode Sam Tarly is speaking to Olly when he says: "Try not to worry. I've been worrying about Jon for years. He always comes back."

Two episodes later, Olly and other traitorous Night's Watch brothers stab Jon to death. But book readers already knew this was coming — the mutiny was written as a cliffhanger in Martin's 2011 book "A Dance with Dragons." Book readers have literally been worrying about Jon for years, but Sam's line reinforced the hope people have for Jon's return.

Bran Stark's only line in the season six teaser trailer was directed at viewers.

Season six teaser trailer released in DecemberHBO

Technically this line hasn't happened in the show yet, but we think it counts. At the end of the first season six teaser, Bran Stark says: "They have no idea what's going to happen."

Though he's probably speaking with his greenseer trainer Bloodraven after seeing a vision about the future, this teaser was the very first hint at what's to come in season six. Since the clip used all old footage, Bran's line felt like a jab at how in the dark fans are about what's to come. Again, with the series now finally caught up and passing the written material, a majority of the fan base truly has no idea what's going to happen.